Berkeley County Historical Society

Name: Berkeley County Historical Society
Address: 126 E Race Street, Martinsburg, WV, 25401, US
Telephone: +13042674713

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Berkeley County Historical Society

Preserving the history of Berkeley County, WV. MUSEUM HOURS: Berkeley County Museum in the Belle Boyd House is open daily 9 to 4 except major holidays.

Located at 126 East Race Street, Martinsburg. ARCHIVES: BCHS Archives is currently closed to visitors. Research requests can be made at [email protected] and at 304-267-4713. The Berkeley County Historical Society began in the late 1920’s. Citizens, interested in preserving the diverse history of the county joined to do their best to keep their families, friends and neighbors mindful of

where they all came from and how the area came to have such a rich and diverse background. When the Great Depression struck, through the hardships of World War II, the society fell inactive. The cause was taken up again in the 1950’s being organized into a formal Society in 1963. The Society has met regularly since that time.

07/20/2024

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad employees' wages had been reduced and the greed and selfishness of management was suspected to have been the cause. The suspicion was not entirely groundless. The B&O annual report showed no extraordinary profits, but directors were congratulated for the volume of business. Newspapers again reported a wage reduction for employees was deemed “necessary to save jobs.”
In July 1877 another wage reduction put employees at the starvation point. On July 16th, B&O workers at Martinsburg began the “Great Strike of 1877.” Employees gathered there and refused to go any further. Trains were run upon sidings and stopped, quietly creating a large backup.
Martinsburg was a major hub. The backup caused panic. Strikers wanted to return to work with restored pay. Martinsburg Mayor A.B. Shutt ordered the small police force to begin making arrests – an impossible task.
Governor Henry W. Matthews ordered Col. C.J. Faulkner to assemble the militia to protect those willing to proceed. The outnumbered militia, most of them railroaders, was fired upon. They did not respond to orders to fire.
A militia man was wounded in the head. When he returned fire, the striker was wounded. A large crowd of railroaders and citizens gathered. The militia was dismissed, and the Wheeling Militia was sent. They accomplished little, so President Rutherford B. Hayes sent the U.S. Army.
This initially small act of defiance started a movement that spread nationwide. Textile workers, canal men, coal miners, and others joined in. It lasted only a few weeks, and did little to help laborers in their efforts for better pay and working conditions, but it launched the first nationwide labor strike in U.S. History, and it all began in Martinsburg.
Pictured: engraving depicting the railroad strike in Martinsburg.

07/13/2024

The finest clay in the country was found just north of Hedgesville, and in 1909, the Martinsburg Herald announced that the North Mountain Clay Company was coming. That meant jobs for the locals. Shovel and dinky operators moved the clay from the pits; puggers mixed the mud; dry panners pulverized the newly-delivered soil; and settlers placed the bricks in the kiln for baking.
There was always demand for North Mountain bricks. At its peak, production may have been as high as one million bricks per week using sixteen bee hive kilns and employing 125 men. North Mountain bricks were used in construction from Florida to Connecticut.
In 1954, the North Mountain Clay Company shipped its most impressive and famous order of four million bricks for the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC. Competition, depletion of clay, the cost of silica sand and coal contributed to the demise of the company in the 1960’s.
The North Mountain Clay Company and the men who worked for it contributed to the local economy for many years. The bricks made there are their legacy, formed from clay and memorialized in brick.
Pictured: Bee hive kilns of the North Mountain Clay Company.

07/06/2024

The Harlan family came to Harlan Springs very early, and Spring Hill, the family home, and one of the oldest homes in Berkeley County, was built about 1740. The accompanying barn was constructed using wooden pegs to join the beams.
The Harlan family is also interesting. Here are the stories of two of them. Jehu (pronounced JAY-hoo) Scott Harlan was young and hotheaded and ran off at sixteen and joined the Confederate Army. After the war Scott was a railroad attorney and a judge in Berkeley County. His obituary described him as “one of the most affable, gentle and lovable men … one of those old Southern gentlemen that one reads of in books, not only in disposition, but in appearance … there was a vein of humor which made his companionship most delightful.”
Jehu’s brother George “Boyd” Harlan became responsible for the family farm at a young age after the death of his father. In 1855-56, “Boyd” and his brother Silas went to Texas. One of the riverboats they traveled on ran aground on a sand bar and sat for several days. They gained passage on a passing boat, but their luggage never made it to Texas.
They had enough money to buy horses, but other than that, had only what they could carry in their saddlebags. The brothers spent time on the open frontier, earning enough money to get back to Berkeley County. Boyd kept a diary, and one of his entries about sleeping under a roof instead of on the ground is an interesting commentary on their trip.
He says, “the final 8 or 9 persons, a dog or two and an innumerable force of fleas or stock that crawled and bit, all stowed in a small room to sleep. We said to each a goodnight wishing for morning and a release from our unquiet companions.” There is no record that Boyd ever embarked upon another trip of this type.
Image, left to right: George Boyd Harlan; Harlan Spring; Jehu Scott Harlan.

06/29/2024

John Heller was born in Germany in 1839 and died in 1903 in Martinsburg. He was the builder and operator of the Heller Carriage Factory at 509 West King Street in Martinsburg.
In the 1860 U.S. Census, John Heller, a blacksmith, is listed as an employee of John Allen in his carriage and coach shop at the corner of Raleigh and John Streets. In 1865, John Heller opened his own carriage shop on the south side of King Street.
In his shop, John Heller manufactured fine buggies, carriages and wagons; sleighs, phaetons, and funeral hearses. His ads appeared in all the newspapers of Martinsburg.
The Hellers were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. John’s son Henry carried on the family business after his father’s death and in later years operated a livery stable and an auto body and paint shop at 509 West King Street.
In his obituary, John Heller was referred to as one of the most prominent German-Americans in the city. Heller had “an enviable reputation as a good and faithful workman, and a man of sterling honesty, and by his uniform kindness, he made many friends.”

06/22/2024

Carolyn Miller, Martinsburg native, is a 1960 graduate of West Virginia University, focusing on Speech, Drama and English. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked professionally in television and in repertory and summer theatre.
As a teacher, Carolyn won state and national awards as a speech and drama teacher. She was Berkeley County Teacher of the Year in 1988, and recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in West Virginia Award. Many of her former students benefited from her guidance.
Carolyn Miller has another story though, a fascinating story. In 1956, Carolyn Miller was Miss West Virginia and competed in the Miss America Pageant. This was the first year the pageant was broadcast in its entirety, and it was billed as “live from Atlantic City with Bert Parks, singing 'There She is Miss America'” for the first time.
In addition, as one of a group of contestants who toured to promote the pageant, she made an appearance on The Today Show with Dave Garroway and The Tonight Show with Steve Allen. She was also one of five contestants who were selected to perform on the Arthur Godfrey Show, but did not perform due to copyright ownership issues.
Everyone has a story waiting to be shared. Carolyn Miller's story is extraordinary.

06/15/2024

While researching Berkeley County and its people, occasionally an interesting story can be found. One such story is that of Jonathan Newton Thatcher.
J. Newton Thatcher (1846 - 1907) was born and died in Hedgesville, and is buried at Green Hill Cemetery. He was a teamster in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, and during his time in the army, his comrades recorded many feats of prodigious strength. It was told that a heavily loaded wagon being stuck in the mud was rescued by young Thatcher, who lifted the wheel out of the mud as if it had been a toy.
The Martinsburg Statesman, in 1902, said the following of him: “A veritable giant is Mr. Thatcher, exceeding in size many of the so-called prodigies that have exhibited throughout the country during the last twenty years. He is a trifle under seven feet in height, weighs 275 pounds and so well proportioned that it is hard to realize his great size until compared with a person of average stature, then the contrast is startling. Mr. Thatcher wears a number eight and a half hat, a number fourteen shoe, and his hands are twice the size of those of an ordinary man.”
J. Newton Thatcher owned the North Mountain Fruit Farm on Apple Pie Ridge. The farm was in the Thatcher family from the 1700s until the early 1900s, and the apples grown there were much in demand.
Thatcher was an early, and successful, leader in the county's fledgling apple industry, and while he is hardly a household name, Berkeley County has certainly reaped the benefits of the deeds of Jonathan Newton Thatcher.
Pictured: Thatcher's Orchard workers, the orchard's exact location has yet to be determined.

06/08/2024

The annual Soap Box Derby in Martinsburg takes place this weekend. The Soap Box Derby has existed in the United States since 1934. In July of each year, the program holds the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. Winners come from the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan for a shot at the championship.
In the beginning, the Derby was sponsored by the Chevrolet Motor Company, which greatly aided its success and popularity. The Soap Box Derby peaked in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, with attendance at the at the Derby reaching 100,000 spectators.
The Derby is, not surprisingly, volunteer driven. It has evolved significantly, with many changes happening since its inception, yet it still happens today after nearly one hundred years since the first Derby. A pretty good record for what is called “the greatest amateur racing event in the world”
Photo: 200 block of West Martin Street, Martinsburg, undated.

06/01/2024

When Prohibition took effect in 1919, West Virginia and Berkeley County had both been dry for five years. However, Berkeley County was full of bootleggers and moonshine stills.
Most often, small amounts of moonshine were collected, but there were exceptions. In January 1932, “after a long search”, the Martinsburg Statesman Democrat newspaper reported that the “biggest moonshine plant ever operated in Berkeley County” was found. It was near Second Mountain, two miles southwest of Glengary. A 200-gallon still was siezed on a small mountain stream away from roads and houses and near the Virginia border.
Moonshine was suspected or found all over the county. Some of the places include Myers Woods, Harry Rutherford's Tract, Wolford Mill, Four Mile Woods, Berkeley Station, Dandridge's Ford, Arden District, Glengary, Gerrardstown, Darkesville, Inwood, Back Creek Valley, Allensville, Falling Waters and almost certainly many more.
In Martinsburg, suspected or confirmed locations include East Martin Street where many barbershops were located, the far end of West Martin Street known as “The Hill”, North Queen Street, where restaurants and hotels were located, Burke Street, Spring Street, John Street, Virginia Avenue and Stephen Street. Muddy Lane, now known as Woodbury Avenue, was a particularly active area. Illegal liquor could be sold behind any business, storefront or in any restaurant.
Berkeley County was certainly a lively place during this time. There were even gangsters in town, not a big surprise given the amount of illegal liquor activity. Prohibition was repealed, and it's a good assumption that very little changed. The liquor just moved from the back room to the front room.
The photo is from Berkeley County, but the men are unidentified.

05/25/2024

A hundred years ago, Kilmer’s Grove, just off Dry Run Pike, near Martinsburg, held the informal title of “city park”. It was a place to rest under the trees and enjoy some fried chicken and homemade bread, maybe some watermelon cooled in Tuscarora Creek. Adventurous ladies might even remove their high-laced shoes and pull their skirts up to their knees and wade in the water for a bit before climbing into the buggy for a return trip home.
Rosemont Park, a commercial venture, opened in 1921, but went bankrupt in 1935. There was a pavilion and a swimming pool, as well as fields, including a baseball field where Hack Wilson played for the Martinsburg Blue Sox. By the end of World War II, the former park had deteriorated considerably.
In 1946, a group of citizens, headed by Martinsburg Mayor Paul Buxton “Buck” Martin, formed the Berkeley County War Memorial Park Association to create a memorial for those who gave their lives in service to their country during World War II. Contributions from individuals and organizations, such as the American Legion, VFW, Elks, Moose, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Women’s Club, etc., allowed the group to purchase the former Rosemont Park property for $15,000.
Repairs were made and maple trees were planted, each with an individually engraved bronze plaque at its base – one for each of the Berkeley County war dead. It was decided to also memorialize the dead from World War I, and eventually, the dead from the Korean Conflict.
War Memorial Park was operated as a non-profit organization until 1987, when the Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Board took over its day to day operations. Next time you visit, take a moment to remember why the park was created and to say “Thank You” to those who are memorialized there.

05/18/2024

Back Creek Lake?
During the 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed damming Back Creek to create a lake that would serve as a water reservoir for the Washington, DC area. The lake would have extended from Shanghai to Glengary.
A hearing was held in Wi******er on some of the Corps of Engineers' proposals for Back Creek Valley on March 23, 1968. The proposal was forwarded to the various states and government agencies for their advice.
A letter from Back Creek Valley residents was sent to then Governor, Arch Moore, expressing opposition to the proposal. Moore's response stated that, unless all the involved agencies agreed, the project would not be pursued any further, and this was indeed the case. This letter was also forwarded to the Director of Civil Works, the Office of the Chief of Engineers and the Department of the Army for consideration and inclusion with public records.
Obviously, a dam was never built to convert part of the Valley into a water reservoir for Washington, DC. That lake would likely have been a beautiful lake, but Back Creek Valley in its natural state is just as beautiful!
Pictured: Back Creek Valley.

05/11/2024

In 1920, a committee was organized to commemorate the service of the men and women of Berkeley County, who served during World War I. The Berkeley County Memorial Association was formed by women of the American Legion Auxiliary, Berkeley Post 14.
They raised funds and sought sponsors for a monument. Mrs. Connie McKown Bitner, president of the Legion Auxiliary, and Mrs. Annabel P. Morrison, secretary, spearheaded the fundraising effort. Funds came from many sources and the final payment was made in 1926.
Of course, the monument's location was greatly debated. The City Council refused to allow it in the Public Square. The Federal Government eventually allowed a plot of land next to the post office to be used for the memorial. On October 10, 1924, a contract was signed with R.R. Feller of Martinsburg, who erected the memorial.
Two months before the scheduled unveiling, the City Council asked for the memorial to be placed in the square. Too little. Too late. The memorial was unveiled on Monday, May 30, 1925, Memorial Day, at 300 West King Street.
But wait, the story doesn't end there. In recent years, the “Doughboy” was moved to War Memorial Park, which did not exist until after World War II. Stop by the park and see the monument in its new home.
Pictured: the monument at its original location, 300 West King Street.

05/04/2024

The First Automobile in Back Creek Valley.
Robert Tilberry Files was born in Frederick County, Virginia in 1855, the son of Jacob and Mary Catherine Slonaker Files and married Mary Catherine ”Molly” Manor. R.T. And Molly lived near Ganotown in Back Creek Valley with their children, Jacob Lemuel, Frances Elizabeth, Joseph Tilberry, Mary May, Harry Manor, and Paul Stover Files.
If R.T. has a claim to fame, it is that he owned the first automobile in Back Creek Valley. The year is not certain, but it was significant enough that someone photographed him with his car.
During the early twentieth century, automobiles were becoming the standard mode of transportation and when one was spotted, it was certainly a curiosity. There is a tale from a Martinsburg newspaper of a man who was walking down the Valley Pike (Route 11), when he saw an automobile that was being driven by a men he knew.
The man stopped near him and asked if he wanted a ride. Having never ridden in an automobile before, he accepted. Instead of getting into the car, he stepped onto the running board and held on. Once they approached his destination, he just stepped off the running board, fell, and was run over and killed by the automobile. There are certainly many similar stories from that same time period.
Pictured is R.T. Files and his wife, Mary Catherine, in the automobile, their son, Paul Stover Files and granddaughter, Nealy Kitchen. This is just one of the many curiosities being discovered in our constant research of Berkeley County's history and its people.

04/27/2024

Huxley Hall, located on Old Mill Road along Tuscarora Creek in Martinsburg, is said to have been built in 1782 by Captain John Kerney. Kerney fought with Hugh Stephenson's regiment of Berkeley County men during the Revolution. He was captured during the war and spent a period of time imprisoned. After the war, he served as a Justice of the Peace in Martinsburg.
In 1805, he agreed to sell his land to Peter Grove, but died intestate (without a will) before settlement. His wife and heirs conveyed the property to Grove, and he, in turn, conveyed a portion to David Kilmer. The Kilmer family owned the property until 1932. In 1960, it was acquired by Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Townsend. The name “Huxley Hall” was given to the house by Mrs. Townsend, after her family name.
If you would like to learn more about how to research your house or property's history, please join us Tuesday evening, May 7, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for May’s First Tuesday, when, in recognition of May being Historic Preservation Month, BCHS president Susan Crowell will give a short presentation on historic house/property research and what resources are available.

04/20/2024

One of Berkeley County's most recognizable landmarks is the Bunker Hill Mill, in Bunker Hill, of course. The mill is believed to have been built about 1735 along Mill Creek and is one of the earliest mill sites in what is now West Virginia.

In 1735, Thomas Anderson, from New York, received a 542-acre King's Patent land grant in what would become Berkeley County. In 1738, he deeded 271 acres to his son, Colbert; this land included a grist mill (a mill for grinding grain). Colbert died soon thereafter, leaving the mill to his eldest son Colbert, Jr. In 1805, he sold the mill, with 32 acres, to Major Andrew Waggoner, who would also operate a distillery there. Interestingly, both Colbert Anderson, Jr. and Andrew Waggoner, served in the Revolution.

By 1851, the mill was owned by Alfred Ross, who built the adjacent miller's house, a private residence today. In 1887, the mill was burned, but it was rebuilt within a year. The mill has passed through quite a few owners in its time. It ceased operation in 1964, but has, since 1971, been owned by the family of Paul and Janita Giles, and is kept in operating condition.

04/13/2024

An interesting topic rarely considered is Berkeley County's natural resources. Believe it or not, such valuable resources do exist in Berkeley County. It's interesting that in researching this, interested investors were always referred to as “capitalists”. Surely some “capitalist” would find a way to make money from coal in Berkeley County.
At various times between 1824 and 1902, natural resources were often mentioned in the local newspapers. Iron ore, anthracite coal, limestone, sandstone, and other things were touted as being abundant and of high quality.
It was thought that there was more iron ore than coal in Berkeley County, but it is coal that is best documented, as it was seen as potentially producing the biggest profits. Coal discoveries on Meadow Branch, North Mountain and Third Hill Mountain near Shanghai led the Martinsburg Statesman, in 1876, to proclaim “In good time the natural wealth of Berkeley County will be well known afar, and will bring into her borders enterprising capitalists, who will share with her native citizens in the development of her vast resources.”
Berkeley County coal was low-grade and of no significant value for industrial or other purposes. However, as late as 1950, small coal operations existed in Berkeley County. Their coal helped sustain local farmers and local industries such as lime kilns and forges.
The “capitalists” came and left, but by 1902, it was evident that Berkeley County's most profitable and plentiful natural resource was, and continues to be, limestone. To this day, and every day, products that are in constant demand are manufactured from Berkeley County's limestone.
Pictured: abandoned mine shaft on Third Hill Mountain.

04/06/2024

It's been almost 200 years since the railroad first came to Berkeley County and Martinsburg. Aler's History of Berkeley County has a first-hand account of what Martinsburg was like before the railroad arrived. Locations can't be verified. Pictured, circa 1840 map of east “Martinsburgh”.

“The old town up to the year 1837 was what might be called a good-sized village, with possibly 800 and could not have exceeded 1,000 inhabitants. Each day four stages arrived and departed – one to Hagerstown, one to Shepherdstown, one to Wi******er, and one to the Warm Springs, now known as Berkeley Springs. All traffic and trade was carred (sic) on by wagons and teams.
Every hotel tried to secure the custom, and it was very evenly divided. No such things as a railroad was thought of in our every-day life, although occasionally I could hear among the drivers of teams about the horse railway from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills.
The manufacture of wools was carried on largely at a factory belonging to the Gibbs family. It occupied the present locality of or about your pumphouse for water works; also a large foundry on same locality, of which the Gibbs were proprietors, and superintended by John Keys, who raised a large family, one of whom, Philip, is now living at Keyser.
Distillers for whisky (sic) and fruit were scattered around, the principle one being Flaggs', east of town. Flour was largely manufactured and shipped. The Stevens mill, now owned by Geo. M. Bowers; the Ransom mill, now Hannis'; the Tabb and Hibbard mills on Tuscarora, west of town, now Kilmer and Bender's mills, were all large grinders. Each farmer had his own grain ground for toll, and sold the flour as needed at home, or else hauled it to Baltimore markets, bringing back for the merchants dry goods, groceries, etc.
At the site of the present Fitz mill was an oil mill, where flax-seed was ground and oil extracted for sale. Blacksmithing, wagon-making, furniture manufacturing, cooperage, saddle and harness making, tailoring, shoe making, watch repairing, house carpentry, tinning, white-smithing or lock making, brass foundry and copper kettle making were carried on extensively, and many manufactories had wagons on the road selling their articles of trade.”

03/30/2024

Electrifying Martinsburg.
On January 23, 1890, the Martinsburg Statesman announced that the new poles for the electric lights were “standing like sentinels on the corners of the streets.” The president of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Martinsburg told the Statesman that the lights would be on by April 8. Not to be outdone, the gas company reduced their rates and the Statesman predicted that, at that rate, gas and electricity would be “as cheap as daylight”.
The electric plant was on the east side of Water Street, near Tuscarora Creek. Which house would be electrified first wasn’t a difficult decision. The home of the president of the electric company, Morgan W. Martin, made the house at 234 South Water Street the first choice.
The O’Hara-Martin House was built around 1795, and in 1797 a “large and elegant brick house … under which is a very commodious kitchen and cellar” was advertised for sale. The property did not sell and remained with the heirs of John O’Ferrall until 1819. In 1889, it was purchased by Morgan Martin. It remained with his heirs until the 1980’s. The electrification of the house signaled that Martinsburg would soon light up the nights. It changed the town forever.
Pictured: the former Power Plant on Water Street.

03/23/2024

What did our local newspaper look like two hundred years ago? We can actually take a look at the Martinsburg Gazette of March 25, 1824. The Gazette was a weekly newspaper, and newspapers were very different from those of today.
Most of the “news” wasn't local at all. On March 25, 1824, the front-page article was of the Virginia General Assembly's recent activities. News of happenings in the Senate and Congress, short stories, poetry, death and marriage notices would fill the Gazette's pages.
The ads and notices could be quite interesting and show how different life was in 1824. There is an announcement for the “Light Infantry: ATTENTION!” Captain Richard Bell orders the company to “parade” on the first Saturday in April at noon at their normal place of parade in Martinsburg in complete uniform with arms in good order.
There is also an “Election Notice.” On the 12th day of April, two “fit” people were to be elected to represent Berkeley County in the next General Assembly of Virginia. The announcement was posted by Erasmus Gantt, “S.3.C.” I would love to know what S.3.C. means. Google doesn't know either.
There were announcements for public sales, listing items included in that sale, an ad for “Lane & Towner” in Shepherdstown, listing all their new goods, and they were plentiful! Edward A. Gibbs operated a textile mill that seemed to do everything required to turn wool into cloth. Silas Oak, Gibbs' partner, for at least ten years. They were likely responsible for the beginning of the textile industry in Martinsburg. We hope you enjoy this brief look at the newspaper from two hundred years ago.

03/16/2024

Nearly two million Irish arrived in America between 1820 and 1860. Three quarters of them left Ireland due to the Great Irish Famine of 1845 – 1852. Work was readily available for them in Berkeley County on the railroad or nearby on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
In Martinsburg, the hill to the northeast of the roundhouse was the home of a large number of Irish immigrants. The area has, for that reason, been known as “Irish Hill”.
The Irish were unjustly considered to be among the dregs of Europe and once they arrived in America, they were often forced to take the worst jobs available. There are many descendants of Irish immigrants among us, this writer included.
The Irish immigrants and their descendants have contributed greatly to building Berkeley County and the country. It is in their honor that we wish you a happy St. Patrick's Day!

03/09/2024

The Cyclone at Falling Waters.
In 1889, there were no tornado warnings. Thursday, May 30, 1889 at 3:15 p.m. a “cyclone” struck the lower portion of Falling Waters.
A dark cloud had been observed following the Potomac by railroad workers. They saw a “cylindrical shaped finger shoot to the ground” and sweep everything in its path.
Two fishermen saw it “pounce” upon the waters of the Potomac and drive a sheet of water exposing the river bottom. The ground was swept bare, trees were twisted off their trunks or pulled out of the earth, fences were scattered.
Clarence Rinker directed the occupants of the farmhouse where he lived to the cellar as the tornado came upon them. John “Dixie” Vogle and J.E. Powell were repairing a pump near the house and took refuge under a corn crib.
The barn was demolished; the roof thrown into the air, crashing down upon the corn crib. The doors of the cellar where the house’s residents had retreated, were forced open by the storm and the slate roof was torn off the house. Pieces were found two miles away.
Vogle, barely able to walk, came from the shed and began to tell where Powell was, and fell unconscious. He was taken to Martinsburg on the next train but died shortly thereafter. Powell was crushed to death under the corn crib.
The tornado continued, leaving a swatch of destruction in it's path. It eventually crossed the Potomac and was lost to sight.

03/02/2024

The construction of Interstate 81 through Berkeley County was the most impactful local event of the 20th century. Prior to the construction of I-81, everything was connected by a series of roads in varying states of repair, the most traveled of those being Route 11.
Construction actually began in 1958, with the Edwin Miller Boulevard exchange (Exit 16). A three mile section north of Martinsburg was completed first. The original roadbed, of course, was concrete.
Interstate 81 in Berkeley County traverses twenty-six miles. It was constructed at a cost of $22,955,114. If you're wondering, that is $886,297 per mile. The Federal government paid 90% of the cost. The section to the Virginia state line was the last to be completed on January 17, 1967.
Much as the railroad did in the late 1800s, I-81 opened Berkeley County to the world. Not only was there access via railroad, but now also by Interstate highway. This was just the beginning, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This photo is of the construction of I-81 in the area near Tabler Station.

02/24/2024

We don't often realize it, but history is around us every day. William Ellis “Bill” Taylor was a walking history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Martinsburg and the surrounding area.
Several years ago, a group of us at Berkeley County Historical Society were fortunate to have worked with Bill Taylor and some of his colleagues from the Roundhouse. The result is a collection of audio and video recordings about the history of the railroad from the 1940s until the 1990s.
Bill Taylor was the “cat's meow” when it came to the B&O. He was born in Martinsburg on January 11, 1930, and graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1947. Not long after, he went to work for the B&O. He served the B&O in a number of positions for more than forty years. Bill Taylor passed away February 14, 2024, at the age of 94.
His love for the B&O was so deep that even after retirement, he continued to tell stories of the Railroad. The most interesting story was of the New Years Eve 1957 train wreck in which three people were killed. Bill was working that night.
Bill commanded and deserved much respect for his willingness to share his life story with us. We express our sincere sympathy to his family. He is no longer with us, but we have his story, and we will tell it.

Address

126 E Race Street
Martinsburg, WV
25401

Telephone

+13042674713

Website

http://www.historicberkeley.org/

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